Definition of whittle

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< Whittington, Richard

Whitworth, Kathrynne Ann >

whit·tle    (hwtl, wtl) KEY  

VERB:
whit·tled , whit·tling , whit·tles
VERB:
tr.

1. 1. To cut small bits or pare shavings from (a piece of wood).
   2. To fashion or shape in this way: whittle a toy boat.
2. To reduce or eliminate gradually, as if by whittling with a knife: whittled down the debt by making small payments.

VERB:
intr.

To cut or shape wood with a knife.

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ETYMOLOGY:
From Middle English whyttel, knife, variant of thwitel, from thwiten, to whittle, from Old English thwtan, to strike, whittle down

OTHER FORMS:
whittler (Noun)

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